Hauliers have hit out at the lack of consultation on new regulations designed to take unsafe lorries off the roads.

The Island Road Transport Association said it only found out in the press that the new regulations were going before this month’s Tynwald sitting.

Introduction of Road Transport Regulations 2018 will require operators of vehicles over 3,500kg to demonstrate they are properly maintained and checked regularly.

They come 13 years after an incident in which teenage cyclist James Berry was killed when he was hit by a wheel that became detached from a moving lorry.

Last year’s Road Transport Licensing Committee annual report claimed only luck had prevented other serious or fatal injuries since then - and that up to 50% of HGVs were unroadworthy at any given time.

But the Island Road Transport Association has questioned the evidence for that claim.

Chairman Stephen Broad said the RTLC had confirmed that the comment was the personal opinion of the former chairman and there were no statistics to back it up.

Mr Broad said: ’We are concerned about the way HGVs are being portrayed. When we approached the RTLC for statistics and evidence they were unable to provide it.’

He said it was ’appalling’ that the association had found out about 2018 regulations in the press and not via a letter or email from the department.

’The Road Haulage Association and its members have been treated like second class citizens,’ he said.

He said it was disappointing that the DoI had ’reneged’ on its agreement in July 2016 to form a working party with the industry and association to move these regulations forward.

Mr Broad said: ’We are quite shocked that the DoI has produced a test manual for the Vehicle Test Centre without obtaining feedback by sharing with relevant industries and the public before it becomes a live document. Where was the public consultation?

He said the association does not believe the regulations have addressed the issues and concerns raised and criticised the lack of an appeal process through the tribunal system.

But Mr Broad added: ’Only time will tell if the regulations are effective in ensuring road safety in relation to HGVs and only time will tell what the effect will be to the haulage industry and the consequential knock on effect to the Manx economy as a result.’

John Quaye, chairman of Manx Independent Carriers, said there is concern additional costs will be imposed that will inevitably be passed on to consumers. ’Compliance must come at minimum cost and must not be a burden to the industry,’ he said.